Safety device for fluid supply lines



Sept. 21, 1948. w. s. WHITE SAFETY DEVICE FQR FLUID SUPPLY LINES Filed Aug. 31, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1-

WILLIAM SEARS WHITE 1 INVENTOR.

BY d g g m AT TORNE Y Sept. 21, 1948. w. 5. WHITE 2,449,573

SAFETY nmvxcrs FOR FLUID SUPPLY mums Filed Aug. 31, 1943 a Sheets-Sheet 2 WILLIAM SEARS WHITE INVENTOR.

A T TORNEY Flya Patenteci Sept. 21 1948 FNITED @QF Fret:

-* (if-Claims. 11 Th s ven e ates o e iet 'd eesiptiflu ,su ply lines and more partiqularly tqsafletvide- Vices known as vacuum breakers. twhigl iare npr- ,mally, associated with flusnvalvpsvwnt iolling the flow f fluid topa plumbin i,fixture. ,LA ih e i in or th s descript an the] a pended-m she ti iui ineludes bothairand water.

W nlur ty ofp umhin zfi tu e thertin larly. sanitary fixtures .suchias tq leli l ina 84 the like are flushed bygriuids, 19 e iwa-tertut .inetin from-ta c m onisou e i,emttpe ti ulerly when a plurality of suchfixtures areuinstglled in at relatively tallubuilcling, therelis apossil ility of the, ,fixturest on lower. lflgorst,draining qall, ofpthe available supply o lflushi ww i e q Qmitheithm a floors andcreating avaeuum or- -su at nusplneric (Pressure in thelines on,the, impetv floors. When a Lflush valve supp y ngon d th tfixt tes e .upper floor, for instance is. aetuategl, instead of .Water under; p re. beinesuph i dto th fi ttl the Watervin ,thejifixtu g sm caw ifit lithe sunp ,lineby th vacuu or u ltmqe hea qimefiu O v ously, when ,r a, p rt nih t't e-i eentei ii t t sanitaryfixture are drawninto a water line, which sup li s. ot only "ot ense ter t fix utesm tie i ap -o theu i s plyin water fprt'clrih i bathing endhther pers nelhses; theretisiezi teme danger of a spread, pf infection, ,jnisease and a. cehseque tvme e e to. the pu ic healt The present invention is an iri'iproyemenggnthe construction disclosed and plaime ljn my S. Pate t No; 2,183, 0 ,e antedpeeemb '1 19. 1 n .my. f erQ I Str1ictiQn,,.% 1; lpwfllglytimilin ,1 passagel havih ten open n mm hlea ih sw the atmosphere. lfo nedg-in v the. easing of a, ifhish valvei-adiac ntjtheeut therepfi pist 1 valve; disposed t el a sa hwesihqrmallyi p .u hus connectinathehut t i e pf th fliishvel with the atmosphere. ,When ,theiflushuvalye was .DDened the how of,uwat tthrel ghlhe ut1et, W ,Dinged a ai ste.h needtpla eibi mcetedtet be a ends. One; end ofntheipla e S1l lOHI1d ithQ- tsofjh flush valve, Whi e theqt eheh pf thela surr un theeh of va ve. .Whemw t tim ping upo the "e d. f the pla ,tl enqsedmth nt the flush valve outlet, the plate pivoted, and; loged v theair port.

Am n the .o iectaoi.this. hv htieni-aretqtnr ivl e a safety "devic e t-v cuu -btelels z t e eu ply lines, pa ularlyo ehi ervfixturesi om vicie such, a, device .intwhieh abac lqwgoiwhier ..between the. plum i vfi tu eiah 'theiel l h m li tip sitively' checke tot-pr vide siieh -aideyieei which one or more. check, valves are normally ve v t shs h e t ng lli e; leadi -i rh hmhi iifixtureteom ri es We or mere q elwe e ,i ,lre t etedthertient iit ei hepaesage etwee t zoliiu n .re veta h .fiXtu U tfieXib .ve zgmeen f med f,,m t.e r bbe e th l e; is jam-wifie g for elesi e, each; of .Q 'e,1?9 "1= Pre e :eb ywoh er mmuh e te it 1 1 313310 i'sph re an .e eqqhq ort, s disho ewetween t \1in t,; h ..9 ttle an w ter on. i ssway; om t 'fih "Ye Ye i th filfixtur i flaw h e iee .9h 1; er ;tszr....iehth z po t p mmhniee w t t ficet hqeh ereiehdef eperete va yeeonsittuet n is provided through whichwater passes las -way aou tgm th we valve, 0,. 1 he,fi? e- .-p hdfth ve yegelq ures. the na e .prt fiera lsz S0 ne t i ie ehier ee g h t we i tneesin tth gth sht valvethroug th .li e-W. ,.l,0 iftl e eh p rt 0 1 pe il d h .vteter,, t,prlva 3 19 5%.POS EiVQ Yfill llldirthei -b abeeks l w' of t i d eq ie i fmmihe, fixtu e tewerdt .u hve v it e eyic eme iqrmedirt re .t e v simp e easin i wi l, hhhe mh eihefie Zhe beyel evipehiey h embesi eeiinthevan- ,101 .er et ezemen e. v er seet er t in th m e a e tin vrcle qt ht ehmteke l ineomeetipn witht :eecemna .i edr wihe ,.intwh e 2-is alongitudinal sectionoi the saietyfle- --vice of l lig. l;

liiggq;3 is a cross sectiontaken along 113183-33: of Z i ;p f .l ,.$a, d v qfii i fiz -nteni 5. q il ii' lldillalifiiifi Piifilie nativegcgns ruet oha. e m t eihe edfitienehxem- 3 bodiments of a safety device constructed in accordance with this invention; and

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of a safety device similar to that of Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, but in which different materials have been utilized for the check valves.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, a safety device D constructed in accordance with this invention may be interposed in the supply line L between a fiush valve F having an operating handle II), and a sanitary plumbing fixture such as a toilet T. Such fiush valves are usually opened by a manually actuated lever, and the valve therefor operates automatically to deliver a measured flow of water to a fixture to be flushed, the valve autopreviously, the safety device may be a separate part, attached to the outlet end of the fiush valve, or may be incorporated in the flush valve itself, at the outlet end thereof; Flu-sh valve F may be similar in interior construction to the flush valve disclosed in my U. S. Patent No. 2,183,601, or any other desired operable construction.

As in Figs, 2 and 3, the safety device D'may comprise an outer shell or casing I3 having a,

water inlet I4, a water outlet I and an air orifice IS. The inlet I4 may be provided with interior threads H for connection of the device to the fiush valve, and the outlet I5 maybe provided with exterior threads I8 for connection to a coupling or collar of pipe I2. Within the casing I3 is a partition P, an'upper leg I9 of which extends inwardly from one wall 2|) toward the opposite wall 22 of casing I3, andv a vertical leg 2| ofwhich extends downwardly to a point adjacent outlet I5, there connecting with opposite Wall 22.

A second partition P extends from a central portion of leg I9, downwardly to a point adjacent the outlet, there connecting 'with'wall 2B of the casing.

Above and to th'e'left of partition P is formed an inlet chamber 23, into which water flows when the flush valve is opened. Between the partitions P and P is formed an outlet chamber 24 communicating with pipe [2. On the side of partition P opposite outlet chamber 24 is formed an air chamber 25 through which communication is provided to air orifice I6. The air orifice I6 is preferably formed between an inner lower lip 26,'and an outer upper lip 21, the lower lip serving to collect any small amount offluid'whlch maybe discharged into the air chamber 25.

The downwardly extending vertical'leg 2| of partition P is provided with a port 3|], through which water flows in passing from the inlet to the outlet, and thence to the sanitary fixture. The partition P is similarly provided with a port 3I, adapted to permit air to ,fiow into outlet chamber 24, and thereby prevent siphonage from .the sanitary fixture, when a sub-atmospheric pressure, for any reason, is created anywh'erein the line. Vertical leg 2| of partition P and partition P are preferably disposed in parallel relation, as shown, and ports 30 and 3| are preferably disposed in alinement, directly opposite each other on the sides of outlet chamber 24 which of rubber, metal, or any other suitable material.

As in Figs. 1 and 2, the element 32 is formed of rubber, and attached to the underside of horizontal leg I9 of partition P in any suitable manner,

such as by a plate 33 and a screw 34. Each of the valve closing legs or fiaps 35 and 36 of element 32 acts as a check valve and is adapted to swing inwardly in opening its respective port, leg 35 normally being in closed position against port 3|) and leg 36 normally being slightly spaced from port 3| or partially open. To minimize the tendency for collapse of the rubber, and its being forced through one of the ports by interior pressure, each leg may be reinforced by a metal disk 31 corresponding in shape but slightly larger than the. ports 36. and 3|, and securely attached to the respective leg of element 32 in a suitable manner, as by riveting.

' When flush valve F is openedto supply fiushing water to the sanitary fixture, the water immediately fills inlet chamber 23, and forces leg 35 of element 32 inwardly, thus opening port and permitting the water to flow to the sanitary of element 32 will swing back to the closed position shown. In case there is a Vacuum or subatmospheric pressure in the supplyjline ahead of flush valve F, when the flush valve is opened such vacuum will immediately cause theleft leg any vacuum or sub-atmospheric pressureflpro- 'duced in the outlet chamber will cause the right leg 36 to swing inwardly, thereby further. openingport 3| and permitting air to be sucked into the outlet chamber, thus relieving the vacuum. If, for any reason, water is drawn from the sanitary fixture, into outlet chamber 24, the pressure of the water'will close left leg imo1'e tightly 6 and. that of Figs. 2 and 3 is that element 32' of Fig. 6 is made of flexible metal'or the like, and thus requires no reinforcing'disks. The metal m ay ,be secured to the partition. by a screw,

as shown, or in any other suitablemanner, as by resistance welding. To provide a ,more perfect seal, a, sealing ring 38, against which legs 35' and 36' of element 32' press, may surround ports 30 and 3|. Such sealing rings maybe'forined of rubber or any other suitable valve seat. material.

' 'Als0,.the legs 35 and 36 may be, coated'with 'rubber' or the like over'the port area, to provide 'a better seal.

In the construction illustrated in'Figs.'4 and 5,

' two airorifices I6 are provided, on opposite sides of the casing I3, as well as two air chambers 25', withone of which each of ports 3|) and 3|. communicates. Instead of flowing to one side, as in the previous construction, the" water flows .cen-

trally through the device, a pair of upright chan- "lnel. shaped partitions 4|] providingfa, restricted portion II of the passage through the line. Ports 3Miand 3l are disposedizin tthesuprightlrlegscof partitions- 40 mm arezpreferablyiin direct-aimement opposite 'each iother as' in the previous construction.

Iii-the"constructionshown in Fig. l, each port is normally covered by a fiappr check valve 42 fastened at the top of *eachpartition in any suitablerm'anner, and extendingdownwardly :over the port, These valves may be made of any, suitable material,..,snch. as ,rubber .or the. like, and may be provided with reinforcing disks" 43 embedded in the irub-ber as shown, although they mayibe-wattache'd thereto in the same! manner astth'eedisk 37 iofIFigs-. :1. and.2,. andvic'e.versa.' In iadditiontothe fiaporcheclr'valves 542,! which are iorcedzagainst the portsmuponpassagexof water .throughzthe .device, each; flapiiszprovidedzwithtan inwardly and downwardly extending lip; 64,: the twolips a-cooperating together to. permit" water to pass throughv them .from the flush valverl. Lips :44. are drawmupwardly and.incloseiengagement with fiaps 42, to assist in breaking the vacuum. Disks 43 may be rounded as shown, extending slightly into the passage, so that when the flaps are pulled open by a vacuum, the disks tend to squeeze the lips 44 between them and thus cause a more effective seal against the sub-atmospheric pressure in the line ahead of the device.

The construction illustrated in Fig. 5 is similar to that illustrated in Fig. 4, except that one flap 45 is provided with a lip 46 which extends downwardly and across the restricted passage portion 4i almost to the other side, and the other flap 4! is not so provided. When the flush valve is opened i to admit water into inlet M, the pressure of the water forces the lip 46 backwardly, and closes flaps and 47 against the ports. If, when the flush valve is opened, a vacuum or sub-atmospheric pressure exists in the line, lip 46 will be pulled upwardly and across the restricted portion of the passage to act as a check valve and seal the line from the fixture. At the same time, the flaps 45 and 41 will be pulled further inwardly, to admit air through orifices ['6' and break the vacuum.

The advantages of the foregoing constructions are many and varied. The resilient flaps or check valves require no hinge pins and are always normally located in close proximity to their seats, so that a quick seal may always be provided for each seat. In addition, there is substantial freedom of movement of each check valve, so that it may open quickly either when flushing water is to flow through a port which it controls or air to break a vacuum is to be drawn into the device. An outstanding feature of the foregoing constructions is the fact that a positive back flow seal is provided between the device and the line ahead of the same, while at the same time a free and uninterrupted opening of the check valve or valves permitting the inflow of air is provided.

The casing or shell of the device may be made of brass, bronze, iron or any other suitable casting material, or made by die casting, powder metallurgy, or in any other suitable manner. While the eheckwaives andzflapsmave been; disclosed'zto becmaderof:-rubbercor...resilientilmetali.it willribe understood z'zthatr 'otherrmateria'lsc silent as .syntheticri rubbersi-ofth'e .Neopreno: or". other types, resins of the styrene or other typesimorethighly resistant. to eoldsflom; andzmany .otherimateri'als, suchriasaphosphon: bronze r. and: the; like; .may; be utili'zedo:

Althoughpertainembodiments of this invention have :'beena described;- it is. to beitunderstood; that these: are; illustrative only, and: thatnumerous modifications mayzbe madegsuchtas incorporating the device in :Ltheo flush .va'lve-v itself al1& without departingifrom rthe spirit'and scopeofithisiinventioniaszdeflned im the iappended clair'nsn 1 What claime'diisi 1. FA safetydevicegfor a-lfluid system- 0f the type whichiincludesi'a flush vaive disposed in; a line leadingzto a plumbing flxturemomprising'a casing havingxaniinlet and fancutlet; a partition in said casing Lbetween' said tinlet and outlet and having at: port-:tthereinzra second partition disposed between said 'outlet anda chamber leading t'o-an opening in said casing communicating with the atmosphere, said second partition having a port therein; and means for closing said ports comprising a U-shaped strip of flexible materialextending over said ports within said outlet portion and fastened to one of said partitions at a point between said ports,

2. A safety device as defined in claim 1, in which each leg of said U-shaped flexible strip is provided with a metal reinforcing disk disposed on the side opposite that which contacts a port.

3. A safety device, fora fluid system of the typ which includes a flush valve disposed in a line leading to a plumbing fixture, comprising a casing having an opening communicating with the atmosphere; a partition extending from .one wall of said casing, partially across the interior thereof, thence downwardly and to the opposite wall thereof to provide an inlet chamber adjacent said opposite wall, said downwardly extending portion of said partition having a port therein; a second partition extending from the upper portion of said first partition downwardly to a point spaced therefrom and thence to said first wall and having a port therein opposite said first mentioned port, said second partition and said first wall forming a chamber and said first wall having an opening providing communication between said chamber and the atmosphere; and valve means for closing said ports comprising a U-shaped strip of flexible metal fastened to said first partition between the downwardly extending portions of said partitions, each leg of said strip extending downwardly across one of said ports.

4. A safety device as defined in claim 3, in which each of said ports is provided with resilient seating material against which said flexible metal is adapted to seat.

5. A vacuum breaking device for a fluid supply system comprising a casing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, partition means providing a passage between said inlet and said outlet and havin a Port providing communication between the passage and the atmosphere outside said casing, and valve means comprising a unitary member of flexible material having a first flat check valve portion for preventing back flow of fluid from said passage to said inlet and a second flat check valve portion for preventing flow of fluid from said passage through said port to the atmosphere, said first check valve portion being arranged to open and permit normal flow b1 fluid from said inlet to said outlet and said second check valve portionibeing arranged to uncover said port and open said passage to the atmosphere upon the occurrence of, a sub-atmospheric pressure, therein.

6. A vacuum breaking device for a fluid supply system comprising a casing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, partition means providing a passage between said inlet and said outlet and having a port providing communication between the passage and the atmosphere outside said casing, and valve means comprising a unitary member of flexible material secured to said partition means and having a first flat check valve portion for preventing back flow of fluid from said passage to said inlet and a second flat check valve portion for preventing flow of fluid from said passage through said port to the atmospherasaid first check valve portion being arranged to open and permit normal flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet and said second check valve portion being arranged to uncover said port and open said passage to the atmosphere upon the occurrence of a sub-atmospheric pressure therein, said second" check valve portion being arranged normally to lie in a position to maintain said portslightly open.

,WILLIAM SEARS WHITE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Langdon Apr. 25, 1944 

